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katiekeske's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this story. The characters are so lovable! The slow-burn romance was so sweet. I like how it felt like a slice-of-life story at times, but also had the ultimate goal of helping the sprites who lived in the Deep. Elara is such a compassionate, hardworking heroine. Each character felt well-developed to me, and I couldn't get enough of the friends' interactions. Can't wait to read the next book now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Abandonment, and Alcohol
natamenez's review
3.0
This was okay. I could feel the beginner writer vibes from it at times but it was a nice chill read.
lilysadventuresinbookland's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
~~ I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily ~~
I thought this book was so beautifully written!
The descriptions were absolutely immaculate! The world was exciting to read about, so vast and different than anything I've read before. The descriptions of the world were amazing, and the descriptions of Elara's feelings of other people's magic were ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
I loved the relationship between Elara and Sidney, I always love seeing best friend
relationships in books, how close they are, how protective they are of each other! And Elara and Sidney's relationship was something anyone would love to have irl!
I also loved the romance! It was a bit "love in first sight" which I don't usually vibe with, it could've done with a bit more pining and slow burn in my opinion. But I liked it anyway, I loved Levi, and I loved how their relationship developed. I thought the smut was great too, and I could've used a bit more of that lol.
The plot was a bit confusing, it started going one way, with one plot line starting to develop at the beginning and then completely stopping in favour of a different plot line, and then never having any point to the first one.
I felt like the first plot line was irrelevant to the story, I wished it wasn't there, and then maybe the rest of the story could've been developed more.
One part of the story that I wish was more developed was the back stories of both Elara's past and Levi's past, that would've been interesting to read.
All in all, this was such a beautiful read, I loved the writing, and I would definitely be reading the rest of the series!
Can't wait to read the story of Sidney and Jordan!
I thought this book was so beautifully written!
The descriptions were absolutely immaculate! The world was exciting to read about, so vast and different than anything I've read before. The descriptions of the world were amazing, and the descriptions of Elara's feelings of other people's magic were ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
I loved the relationship between Elara and Sidney, I always love seeing best friend
relationships in books, how close they are, how protective they are of each other! And Elara and Sidney's relationship was something anyone would love to have irl!
I also loved the romance! It was a bit "love in first sight" which I don't usually vibe with, it could've done with a bit more pining and slow burn in my opinion. But I liked it anyway, I loved Levi, and I loved how their relationship developed. I thought the smut was great too, and I could've used a bit more of that lol.
The plot was a bit confusing, it started going one way, with one plot line starting to develop at the beginning and then completely stopping in favour of a different plot line, and then never having any point to the first one.
I felt like the first plot line was irrelevant to the story, I wished it wasn't there, and then maybe the rest of the story could've been developed more.
One part of the story that I wish was more developed was the back stories of both Elara's past and Levi's past, that would've been interesting to read.
All in all, this was such a beautiful read, I loved the writing, and I would definitely be reading the rest of the series!
Can't wait to read the story of Sidney and Jordan!
rossu's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ephemerily's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm keen on cozy fantasies lately, and this one fit perfectly. Technically, part of it takes place in the real world, but it still felt like a fantasy world since the characters spend much of their time in "the Boundlands," which they access through large portal gates found around the human city. The world with its many different magical species, characters who were part magical and part human, and types of magic, all interacting with humans out in the open, was new and interesting. I loved that the heroine was shy and it was believably written, and how various conflicts and villains came and went, without gory fighting or overwhelming trauma. I wasn't entirely comfortable with the "bonding" part of the relationship, even though the characters discussed it; but that was specific to the biology of one of the main characters, so I'm hoping it won't be part of future stories in this world.
unlimitedhappylife's review
3.0
This book has some great aspects. The world building is awesome and any lore or creature we were introduced to was interesting. Elara was a great character with a different but cool ability that I enjoyed reading about. I did not expect such a book to go into the ethics of certain magic use, but I found myself pleasantly surprised that it did.
Unfortunately, I did not connect or like Levi which brought the book down for me since his and Elara's romance is the centerpiece of the story and why I read it in the first place.
Him being a siren was unique and debating the ethical use of his alluring ability was interesting. Levi is sweet and protective, and I did like how he cared about Elara's consent, but he kind of was just there for me. I found him a bit boring. I think it was a mix of things, his back and forth regarding Elara which is completely justified, but I got tired of it. Between him and his friends I got a certain boyish vibe that left me feeling like I was reading a YA. Which maybe they are in that young adult age, I don't remember if they specified an age for anyone.
I wish I had liked Levi more because this is a good book with interesting side plots and Elara is a badass. Everyone has different preferences and Levi didn't hit mine but I, ultimately, am glad that I tried this book out and interested to see this author's other work.
Unfortunately, I did not connect or like Levi which brought the book down for me since his and Elara's romance is the centerpiece of the story and why I read it in the first place.
Him being a siren was unique and debating the ethical use of his alluring ability was interesting. Levi is sweet and protective, and I did like how he cared about Elara's consent, but he kind of was just there for me. I found him a bit boring. I think it was a mix of things, his back and forth regarding Elara which is completely justified, but I got tired of it. Between him and his friends I got a certain boyish vibe that left me feeling like I was reading a YA. Which maybe they are in that young adult age, I don't remember if they specified an age for anyone.
I wish I had liked Levi more because this is a good book with interesting side plots and Elara is a badass. Everyone has different preferences and Levi didn't hit mine but I, ultimately, am glad that I tried this book out and interested to see this author's other work.
mandy44's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a hard one for me to rate. I liked the plot, characters, and world building. The writing was good and the romance and spice was sweet. But it took me a very long time to read…it just couldn’t hold my attention. So while ultimately I did like it and think it is a good book my reading experience of it was really underwhelming.
Still giving it 4 stars though because I think this one is a “me problem” not a problem with this book.
Still giving it 4 stars though because I think this one is a “me problem” not a problem with this book.
romanceschmomance's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
words_and_dreams's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Paranormal romance involving and elf and a male siren set in a dual world, Boundland the magical realm and the Void, our mortal realm.
This follows Elara 🧝♀️, our elven heroine who crafts amulets, wards and protections using her magic. Many people involving gangsters keep approaching her to get her to make a golem, something that can be used as a weapon. This is something that she is understandably unwilling to do due to the ethical issues involved.
Meanwhile she meets Levi, a landlocked Mer 🧜♂️ and attraction between them is pretty instant. He is at first scared of becoming involved with her as mermen mate for life and gain a permanent bond whether she stays with him or not. I loved how they overcome his issues with trust and open communication. I just wish that we had his POV too.
I loved how the heroine stood up for a downtrodden species and showed that there was another option to help whether it came at cost to her or not. Also adore Alara and Sidney's friendship.💖
There's great worldbuilding and we get to meet many different magical creatures. I also loved how the magic system worked and how different people had different gifts.
One question though....was the harpy okay??
This follows Elara 🧝♀️, our elven heroine who crafts amulets, wards and protections using her magic. Many people involving gangsters keep approaching her to get her to make a golem, something that can be used as a weapon. This is something that she is understandably unwilling to do due to the ethical issues involved.
Meanwhile she meets Levi, a landlocked Mer 🧜♂️ and attraction between them is pretty instant. He is at first scared of becoming involved with her as mermen mate for life and gain a permanent bond whether she stays with him or not. I loved how they overcome his issues with trust and open communication. I just wish that we had his POV too.
I loved how the heroine stood up for a downtrodden species and showed that there was another option to help whether it came at cost to her or not. Also adore Alara and Sidney's friendship.💖
There's great worldbuilding and we get to meet many different magical creatures. I also loved how the magic system worked and how different people had different gifts.
One question though....was the harpy okay??
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment